Iran has bid a final farewell to former Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei as thousands gathered in the holy city of Mashhad for the final stage of an elaborate state funeral held amid heightened regional tensions. The flag-draped coffin of Khamenei was carried into the revered Imam Reza Shrine, where senior Iranian officials, religious leaders and mourners paid their last respects. The funeral marked the conclusion of six days of ceremonies that stretched across Iran and Iraq, including commemorations in Najaf and Karbala before the final burial in Mashhad. One of the most striking moments of the ceremony saw fighter jets escort the aircraft carrying Khamenei's coffin as it made its final journey to Mashhad, underscoring the significance of the state funeral. Coffins of family members reportedly killed during recent hostilities also accompanied the procession. WATCH

The investigation into the horrific gangrape and murder of an 11-year-old girl in Baruipur has taken a dramatic turn after the main accused died in a police encounter during crime scene reconstruction. According to police, the accused allegedly snatched a firearm from an officer, opened fire on the investigating team and attempted to escape. Officers then returned fire, leaving the accused critically injured. He was rushed to hospital but later succumbed to his injuries. The encounter comes days after the brutal crime shocked West Bengal. The young victim's body was recovered from a pond in Baruipur, and the post-mortem examination confirmed sexual assault. Police subsequently registered a case under relevant provisions of the POCSO Act and murder charges. WATCH